HISTORY OF THE CORVETTE
GM's headquarters from 1923 until 1996
(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
|
General Motors & Harley J. Earl
In the 1950s, General Motors was one of the largest corporations and conglomerates in the world, with diversified businesses ranging from cars (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobiles etc.), insurance services to home appliances. GM was the manufacturer of half the cars used in the United States at the time. However, they had not yet fancied to enter the sports car market and compete with the English and European car manufacturers. In 1951, Harley J. Earl was inspired to make an American Sports Car to compete on the race track yet be as affordable as an American sedan. On 30th June 1953, during GM's Motorama display at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, Earl's “dream car” the Corvette was revealed. The name was taken from a World War II ship that was small and fast. |
C1 Corvette (1953 – 1962)
Six months after being displayed at the Motorama, the Corvette officially went into production at an old truck factory in Flint, Michigan. Only 300 Corvette’s were made in 1953, with a white exterior and red interior.
It was the first American car with a fiberglass body to keep it light with only 150 horsepower and 6 cylinders and automatic-transmission. At a base price of approximately US $3500, the only features it came with were a heater and AM radio.
On 1st January 1954, production began at the GM facility in an old mill work in St. Louis, Missouri. The car had not changed, however, it was offered in three exterior colours; Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red and Black. The interior was also offered in Beige. Only 3640 cars were produced with a six cylinder 155 horsepower engine.
Six months after being displayed at the Motorama, the Corvette officially went into production at an old truck factory in Flint, Michigan. Only 300 Corvette’s were made in 1953, with a white exterior and red interior.
It was the first American car with a fiberglass body to keep it light with only 150 horsepower and 6 cylinders and automatic-transmission. At a base price of approximately US $3500, the only features it came with were a heater and AM radio.
On 1st January 1954, production began at the GM facility in an old mill work in St. Louis, Missouri. The car had not changed, however, it was offered in three exterior colours; Pennant Blue, Sportsman Red and Black. The interior was also offered in Beige. Only 3640 cars were produced with a six cylinder 155 horsepower engine.